Sing While You Can

Stuck in the Mud

I awoke the next day, unsure of my surroundings. Everything gradually came back into focus and the bright light streaming in through the window.

I groggily sat up to find Mum asleep in a chair next to my bed alongside Dad who was snoring. I yawned and stretched my arms and legs-

It dawned on me and I stared at my stump of a leg. It had been cut off from my thigh and was wrapped in at least 5 layers of bandages.

“Oh darling, you’re awake. Merry Christmas,” My Mum woke up and gave me a quick hug.

“What time is it?”

“Almost 3 o’clock,” she replied and an awkward silence hung between us.

Nurse Clarin broke the silence by bringing me some food and water as well as checking my bandages.

Over the next few weeks I was kept in under observation while my other injuries were healing until on January 20th I was released from hospital. The physiotherapy I had went through hadn’t really helped a great deal and due to the cold temperatures my wheelchair and ice were not a good mix at all. When I first went outside I almost slide down a bank and into a ditch.

After settling into the apartment and waiting for the lift to come which smelt and a fear of it stopping always lingered in my mind; the first place I went was the music room to surprise them.

“SURPRISE!” I yelled and wheeled myself inside raising my arms up high. Scott dropped his drumsticks, Josh jumped and Erin turned pale.

“How are you?” Josh asked and bent down to hug me.

“Fine. Managing the wheelchair is a bit tricky though,” I joked.

“Well I hope that you have an idea, because Scott and I have tried to make a song but well listen,”

Josh and Scott resumed their positions and a loud messy beat started.

Stuck in the middle,

Debating the decisions,

Never knew I was so,

So so so so,

Indecisive,

Don’t ask me anything ever again,

Because I just don’t know.

I burst out laughing and they all blushed.

“Well it wasn’t too bad…” I tried to say.

“We made a song about indecisiveness because last night when we were brainstorming we didn’t know what pizza to get,”

“Oh god really?”

They all nodded in embarrassment.

“Well give it here and I’ll tweak it,”

I sat for an hour humming and quietly singing all of the lines until it was ready and remodelled into a completely acceptable song for the contest.

“Pass me the mic,” I said and gave Erin and Scott the music sheets, leaving Josh standing in the corner.

Stuck here,

Waiting here,

For you to come,

Set me free,

I’m sorry I left,

I never meant to hurt you,

I thought you could take a joke,

Looks like the mud covered my face,

Because being stuck here,

It’s the worst feeling ever,

You just have to come along,

Give me a tap and I can come back,

I know you’re angry,

I know you’re scared,

But please just come along,

Please set me free,

I’m sorry I left,

I never meant to hurt you,

I thought you could take a joke,

Looks like the mud covered my face,

Because being stuck here,

It’s the worst feeling ever,

You just have to come along,

Give me a tap and I can come back,

I can come back in a flash,

Just tap me baby,

You know I’m sorry,

No, don’t forgive me,

I know I don’t deserve it,

But you need to know,

I’ll just be stuck here forever,

Unless you set me free

“Eve, where did you get the idea from?” Josh asked at the end.

“Stuck in the Mud. You know, the game,” I replied.

“Wha….” He said shocked.

“I need to go. I’ll meet you here again same time tomorrow?” They agreed and I left.

I wheeled myself home whilst listening to my music.

Here comes the rain again,

Falling from the stars,

Drenched in my pain again,

Becoming who we are,

Ironically rain began pouring from the sky freezing me for more than half of my journey home. Luck is just never on my side.

“Aaaah! EVE!” Charlotte screamed.

“What?” I asked.

“Guess who’s here,”

I went into the living room and squealed and wheeled over to hug him.

“Oh my god! When did you get here?” I said and hugged him.

“I had to come and see my little sister,”

Anybody remember? He is going to be a big part in the story from here on.

Songs -

Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day.